The Tale of Two Stories

Every writer tells two stories.

The first is seen by everyone. Written in black and white, this tale is published and promoted; destined to be in the public eye, on the video screen, at the theater; meant to be remembered and quoted and studied.

This is the publishing dream. The novel that you hold in your hands. The book signing where you meet your readers. The blog tour where everyone talks about your latest story.

But every writer tells two stories.

The second tale is written quietly, day by day, sometimes in daylight and sometimes in shadow. And it’s written in flesh and blood.

It’s often told in whispers, in confidence, in quiet prayers. Here, the writer is sometimes seen on his knees, in prayer, living sacrificially, one day at a time. Waiting for the next horizon colored by sun. Waiting for the shadows of night to pass.

Every person has a mountain top and a valley—but sometimes these two are so close to one another that the landscape suddenly feels like a desert flatland. You can no longer distinguish the landmarks that normally guide you. In this case, you have to walk by faith, like in the middle of the night. You believe the wall is here, so you turn. You believe the door is there, so you walk that way.

You believe God is listening. So you talk to Him. A lot. You tattoo His name on your heart, you write His words on your knees.

I’ve had more than one friend go through the valley of cancer. Maybe you know someone who is going through it right now. If so, I would highly recommend you visit the blog of Mike Dellosso. There is so much to be encouraged by there, so much hope in the midst of his valley walk. He is writing his second story there, the story most people write in silence. He is writing it for everyone to see.

Go and see.

And I highly recommend you take a look at his first book, The Hunted. You can read an excerpt here. This is his first story, the one meant to be read by the world.

Both of Mike’s stories, the first and the second, are quite beautiful. And both are destined to be read.